Yuzamashi/samashi

[Geekgirl]

Has anyone else noticed how difficult it is to fine artisan versions of these? I mean, basically you have a few over at AN, and a couple at Rishi, but mostly all of the ones available are the boring red one and the boring black one.

I'd love to see some pictures, here is my one and only:


By Seiho. I have my eye on the black one from him, offered at Artistic Nippon. Maybe, maybe. Also, if anyone has hit the motherlode of yuzamashi, let me know, I'm always looking, and this unexpected loan repayment I received is burning a hole in my pocket!

[iannon]

you are so right! i havent found one i liked enough to buy over my good old pyrex measuring cup

[Geekgirl]

LOL! Well, I'm not quite "pyrex," but do find I use a glass pitcher most often for water cooling. Still, as a "collector," I feel like there's a gap. My fellow teaware-hounds must feel similar deprivation.

[debunix]

I have been using my fair cups for this but sometimes I want both a fair cup and a cooling cup in use at once, and it would be nice, for short gongfu infusions, to have a cooling cup with a capacity 2-3X my small teapots and gaiwans. So yes, I feel the gap in my collection.

[Victoria]

Nice shot Geek! That is a beautiful one. Yeah, I'm eyeing the black AN one too since it matches my Seiho pot. But I am resisting being so matchy-matchy. Yet ... if I were you, I'd get that matching Gold Blossom pot!

My only "official" yuzamashi is a white Deishi that is too hot to handle unless I am using <4oz.

[Geekgirl]

I have that deishi one too, but really only use it for gyokuro for just that reason - full it is too hot to hold, but with the lower water temp for gyo, and the small steep size, it's perfect.

I love the side-handle yuzamashis, somebody here must have one of the Rishi ones, and maybe has feedback? I'd love to hear direct experience (or see photos in the set-up) of either the Yakishime, or the Yohen from there.

[Tead Off]

These are Japanese made which you don't see too often. Very soft feeling in the hands. Smooth glazes, subtle, sensual. Smaller in size and good for cooling the water for Gyokuro.

gray yuzamashi 2.jpg (17.99 KiB) Viewed 2881 times

small yuzamashi.jpg (31.83 KiB) Viewed 2881 times

[Geekgirl]

Those are beautiful! Especially the top one.

[Victoria]

I agree, beautiful!

[davidv7]

Beautifull!
Can someone please tell me a source for buying yusamashi online?
It should be strictly Japanese - I prefer Bizen and Hagi but I am open to other Wabi - Sabi styles.
thx

[Victoria]

http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/t ... index.html
http://www.artisticnippon.com/product/h ... iyaki.html

[Chip]

Both of those are really quite beautiful Tead Off!



Not as nice as those, but ... the tall stoneware one on the right is the most used teaware item in the house except for possibly the kettle. This might technically be called a "Katakuchi" according to Ed Krueger, but the function is similar. I use it constantly. I like how I can watch and regulate the temp decline. Much more gradual than the low one on the left that reallly cools water fast ... heh, I have to really be paying attention and BE READY when I use the low one. And the thermometer sits in it quite nicely in the tall one without flopping out.

The tall one as a result is just much more relaxing and easier to use. The iron spots from the firing on the inside serve as level indicators. I know which spots = X ounces or MLs. I have used it thousands of times, and when I first began using it, I thought for sure I would knock it over and break it ... but I never knocked it over since it has a nice heft to it, very stable and does not take much room.

Just feels right ...

The low one reminds me of a peach or a squash and is Japanese as well. It is really quite nice, lovely even. But when it comes to a water cooler, FUNCTION as well as ease of use reigns supreme.

The glass pitcher is for more informal teas that also happen to require hotter water and doubles as a cheapo fair cup, cost under 2 bucks. I bought a few of them, utility with a capital U.

And that is likely a lot of TMI.

[Geekgirl]

Not at all TMI! I've been trying to decide on one of the retail available Yuzamashi, and this gives me a few more data points, thanks!

[Victoria]

Thanks Chip, a definite plus for those of us that use "stick" like thermometers is something more vertical. I use a heavier glass pitcher most of the time actually. I think it was designed for juice.

[Tead Off]

For me, the Yuzamashi is a vital part of the green tea experience, whether Japanese or other kinds of greens.

Here is a Hagi yuzamashi I use quite a bit because of its size. Holds about 160ml. My wife hates it.

Yuzamashi.jpg (25.01 KiB) Viewed 2812 times